Rained off: A Sunday service at Wimbledon to beat the weather

The twin curses of torrential rain and a hesitant Tim Henman performance returned to Wimbledon yesterday as the tournament opened its gates to the public on a Sunday for only the third time in history.

Heavy rain wiped out play at SW19 late in the afternoon but not before Henman had given beleaguered English sports fans something to cheer.

His 3-1 victory over the Moroccan Hicham Arazi had the crowds on Centre Court roaring their approval and waving flags, some of which had hung so despondently after England's defeat in Euro 2004 last week.

With the almost obligatory hiccup halfway through the match when his opponent seemed to be getting the upper hand, "Tiger" Tim edged through, much to the relief of those enjoying the tournament's People's Sunday.

Ben Milburn, 26, a lawyer from London, put it succinctly. After watching the victory on Çentre Court, he said: "It's really no fun being an English fan these days. First we lose against Portugal in the European championships, then our rugby team loses Down Under.

"And with Tim, it's never easy either. You always feel as though he could beat anyone and yet, at the same time, lose to anyone."

People's Sunday came to SW19 after two days were washed out during the first week of the tournament, forcing the All England Club to organise play yesterday. The two previous People's Sundays - in 1991 and 1997 - proved popular. As a security measure, there was a reduced ground capacity with 11,000 tickets available for Centre Court at £35 each. A further 10,000 people were allowed on to Court One, at a cost of £30, and another 7,000 into the grounds for £15.

Some of the more ardent Henmaniacs queued through the night to ensure seats on Centre Court. Ross Walker, wearing a toaster on his head proclaiming "Who will be the toast of Wimbledon?" along with numerous flags, scarves and badges, was one such stalwart.

Shortly before Henman's win, Mr Walker, 34, a casino manager from Guildford, Surrey, said: "As soon as I heard the announcement there would be play on Sunday I rushed to the ticket booths, but there were still over 100 people in front of me. I waited throughout the night, managed about four hours sleep in my Union Jack tent and finally got my ticket shortly after nine this morning. I was thrilled."

Some, however, had a much easier entrance to the hallowed Centre Court - usually the preserve of the corporate entertainers or the patient tennis fan. Juggling a tray with several punnets of strawberries and cream, a pint of lager and a beaker of Pimm's, Pete Curtis, a project management consultant from Guildford, was much more fortunate.

After arriving with his two children and another couple, Mr Curtis, 51, waited for just two hours before securing Centre Court tickets. "It's a great experience for the children," he said. "We just sat down as Tim's game was starting. Thankfully Tim came through for us. Luckily there was no Swiss referee. I really couldn't have stood another sporting loss in a week."

The fans at Henman Hill, in comparison, appeared a little less ardent in their patriotism, and South African flags nearly outnumbered the Union flags. While traditional fare was more prevalent for those in Centre Court seats, the hungry fans enjoying the sun in front of the huge television screen on Henman Hill tucked into fish and chips or paper cartons of Thai noodles, all sloshed down with pints of lager.

The roar went up as victory was secured but among many British fans, there was an all-too-prevalent feeling of impending doom, with most fans far less sure he could go on to win the whole tournament.